Eastern Conference

Around the league

December 5, 1989|By Tim Povtak of The Sentinel Staff

ATLANTIC DIVISION The Washington Bullets will be without forward John Williams for six to eight weeks with a torn knee ligament. Williams was the team's second-leading scorer (18.2 ppg) and rebounder (7.6 rpg). . . . The Miami Heat lost consecutive games last week to Minnesota, Orlando and New Jersey, three of the handful of teams they might be able to beat. They have lost seven consecutive games. . . . New York Knicks guard Mark Jackson has hit just three of his last 24 field-goal attempts.

CENTRAL DIVISION The injury situation in Cleveland has gotten so bad that the Cavaliers had to cancel practice Sunday because there were not enough healthy players. Of the five starters from last season, none will be in the lineup tonight when the Cavs play the Bullets. . . . The Atlanta Hawks, who have won three consecutive games, will be well-rested when they play Orlando on Wednesday night. They have not played since Saturday. . . . Even with Michael Jordan averaging an NBA-leading 31.7 points, the Chicago Bulls have five players averaging in double figures.

MIDWEST DIVISION The Houston Rockets are 5-3 since John Lucas, 36, became the starting point guard. . . . Minnesota's victory at Cleveland last week was especially satisfying for Coach Bill Musselman, who was extremely unpopular when he coached in Cleveland earlier in the '80s. . . . Denver (9-0) is one of two teams still unbeaten at home. Coach Doug Moe, who normally doesn't play rookies, has been impressed with the mental toughness of Todd Lichti. . . . The Charlotte Hornets (0-9) still have not won away from home.

PACIFIC DIVISION Of the five teams in the NBA that have not won a game away from home, four are in the Pacific Division. . . . Portland's game against Orlando Monday night was the second game in a six-game road trip for the Trail Blazers. . . . Pervis Ellison, the top pick in the college draft this summer, has yet to practice on consecutive days for the Sacramento Kings because of surgery to remove bone spurs from his feet.